Mrs. Mary Jones Taylor, 74, of Sanford, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Sanford Health and Rehabilitation. 

Deaconess Mary Jones Taylor transitioned to her heavenly home on April 12, 2025, at Sanford Health & Rehabilitation Center in Sanford, North Carolina. Deaconess Taylor was born on October 14, 1950, to the late Mary Lillie and Frank Jones, Sr., in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She was one of five children and graduated from J. S. Waters School in Goldston, North Carolina, in 1968.

Deaconess Taylor accepted Christ in her life at an early age. In her youth, she attended Taylor’s Chapel Church, Bear Creek, NC, and Mitchell’s Chapel Church, Pittsboro, NC. She met the love of her life – celebrating 51 years of marriage until his health declined. They had two children. After their marriage, she moved her membership to Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford,  where she served as President of the Missionary Board, and on many other boards. 

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, Deaconess Mary Taylor was one of five women in her region, selected by the NC Missionary Association, for over 50 plus years of missionary service, throughout the  community.

In the early 70s, she began her 18-year career with A. J. Schniersons, in Jonesboro, NC, as a very talented seamstress. She then gained a 15-year employment with Arden & Benhar Mills in Sanford. Deaconess Taylor retired to care for her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with people from all walks of life, including her family, church family, and members of the community.  she loved singing, going fishing with her family, working in the garden, and thrifting whenever she had the time. From 2005 – 2020, she was a faithful NC Coastal Pines Girl Scout Troop 513 – Lee County committee member. She and her husband donated snacks, firewood, and many other much-needed supplies.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Lillie, her sister, Delores Ann, her brothers, James Ray and Frank Edward, and her husband, Eddie Jr. Deaconess Taylor is survived  by her son, Eddie Alvin Taylor, III of the home; daughter, Yolanda Taylor-Leach (Carnell Sr.) of Sanford; grandchildren, Yolanda Leach (Jon) of Gastonia, NC, SP4 MP Carnell Leach, Jr. of Oahu,  Hawaii; Rasheda Kelly of Fayetteville, NC, and DeVante Ragland of Sanford; a great-grandson, DJ of Sanford; a brother, Billy Jones, Sr. (Frances) of Siler City, NC; brothers-in-law, Lee Roy  Barrett of Goldston, NC and Charles Taylor (Janet) of Sanford; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Mary Jones Taylor in your thoughts and prayers. 

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.